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Use your nose, and other decor inspiration – upcoming series on Simple Mom

by Tsh Oxenreider

Tsh is the founder of this blog and is currently traveling around the world with her husband and 3 kids. Her latest book is Notes From a Blue Bike, and believes a passport is one of the world's greatest textbooks.

I like to decorate. I don’t have bags of money lying around. That can be quite a conundrum.Photo by black kat

Because I also like simplicity, and to a lesser degree, minimalism, I focus my decorating efforts on stuff that really matters. Using the senses is a fun guide to find inspiration, because to me, decorating my home is all about making my home a haven. It’s not about having everything “just so” or getting Martha’s approval.

I also consider decorating to be more than painting the walls and throw pillows. To me, it’s about ambiance. And unexpected things can be classified as home decor.

I want all who enter – my family, guests, and myself – to find refuge in our home. And while the decor isn’t as important as having an attitude of service and hospitality, I do appreciate aesthetically-pleasing environments. I’m guessing others do, too.

Next week, starting on Monday, I’ll share my thoughts each day about decorating with one of the senses – hearing, tasting, touching, smelling, and seeing. And the goal with all of these is to make our homes a haven, not to make our homes magazine-worthy.

My old way of decorating was “if it fit in with my style and it fit, then shove it in.”
But I’m realizing lately that I don’t love all of the stuff that I’ve packed my house with. In fact, very little of it brings me joy. So now the task of removing it all and deciding what to do with it.
I look forward to your series!